The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry wants to remind hunters that they require a valid licence to hunt moose, and that it is illegal to place a tag on a moose harvested by another hunter that is not part of the same hunting party.

An investigation by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has resulted in three Cochrane men being convicted of moose hunting violations that occurred in October 2018.

Cody Smith-Papineau pleaded guilty and was fined $3,500 for hunting big game without a licence and $1,000 for unlawfully invalidating a tag. He also received a two-year hunting suspension and permanently forfeited his firearm to the Crown.

Hans Tverdal pleaded guilty and was fined $2,000 for unlawfully invalidating his moose tag and $1,000 for transporting unlawfully killed wildlife. He also received a one-year hunting suspension.

Christian Tverdal pleaded guilty and was fined $2,000 for unlawfully invalidating a tag.

Court heard that on October 24, 2018, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry conservation officers received a tip that Cody Smith-Papineau had harvested a cow moose on October 19, 2018 on Wolf Lake Road, north west of Cochrane. The investigation determined that Smith-Papineau did not have a licence to hunt moose at the time he harvested the cow, and that he contacted Hans Tverdal that evening at his home to come and place his cow tag on the moose. Hans and Christian Tverdal met Smith-Papineau on Wolf Lake Road to attach the tag to the illegally harvested cow and transported the moose to a nearby residence.

Justice of the Peace Francois Cloutier heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Cochrane, on December 17, 2020 via teleconference.

MNRF conservation officers continue to patrol and protect our natural resources during the current COVID-19 outbreak and would like to remind everyone that by respecting seasons, sanctuaries, bag and possession limits we all help ensure our natural resources stay healthy. Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.

To report a natural resource violation or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry TIPS line toll free at 1-877-847-7667 or contact your local ministry office. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS. For more information about unsolved cases, please visit ontario.ca/mnrftips.